Since the release of his last album, BRING HEAVY ROCK TO THE LAND, there have been big changes in the lineup of Jorn Lande’s crack band. Out with guitarists Tore Moren and Jimmy Iversen (although Jimmy did play on this album), and out also with bassist Nic Angileri; replaced by Wig Wam’s guitarist and bassist Trond Holter and Bernt Jansen. Still, what hasn’t changed on Jorn’s eighth album is his enduring devotion to heavy metal and particularly the brand as espoused by his hero, Ronnie James Dio.

Indeed, TRAVELLER is chock full of exactly what we expect from Jorn: classic heavy metal songs full of energy & passion, topped off with Jorn’s distinctive Dio bellow. Close your eyes and you can even picture Ronnie James spitting the word “black” as Jorn does in “Carry the Black”. Having said that, Lande is very good at what he does, and given the massive influence that Dio continues to have in heavy metal, it’s somewhat surprising that no one else can do this style of metal like Jorn can. To wit, TRAVELLER is a welcome breath of fresh air. Even more, it’s pleasingly free of ballads, only foisting one upon us (the majestic album closer “The Man Who Was King”). The rest of the album burns with excellent riffs at all speeds, particularly the powerful “Cancer Demon” and oddly-titled “Window Maker”.

On his own merits, Jorn has established his solo band as one of the most dependable, high-quality institutions in metal. TRAVELLER continues this tradition and is as solid a heavy metal album as you’re likely to hear.